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Overcast Pope Francis in America
Few people can command great audiences no matter where in the world they travel. People who get to meet them often come away feeling as though they have been in the presence of someone special, someone different. Pope Francis is such a man, as evidenced by the huge crowds that followed his every move on American soil, and the excitement his visit generated.
Former Oceansider Stephanie Reed, who works for the U.S. State Department, attended the welcoming ceremony at the White House, at which both President Obama and the pope spoke. “I arrived at 4:30 a.m. in order to ensure a spot for the 9 a.m. event,” she said. “Hearing the pope speak and seeing him in person made the early trek and hours of standing worth it. His speech was so powerful, despite the fact that he is soft-spoken. It was one of the very rare occasions when the pope delivered a speech in English. It was an honor to be there for the remarks of the president and His Holiness.”
Another Oceanside resident, Nicholas Coppola, was also at the White House. Coppola, who is gay, was active in the parish at Saint Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church until he was ousted when he married his boyfriend. Francis has preached tolerance, and Coppola, who says his faith remains strong, hopes that message might be followed with action.
Johnny Jackson, of Oceanside, got a close look at the pope for himself, in Central Park. Jackson has a brain tumor — his second — and in August, friends, family and the community organized a lemonade stand to raise funds for his treatment.
State Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky was one of those who stopped by to enjoy some lemonade and donate. When Kaminsky was given tickets to see the papal motorcade through Central Park, he turned them over to Joanne Jackson, Johnny’s mother. There the two joined the crowd of 80,000.
“It was a moving experience, but unfortunately the pope didn’t look at us,” Joanne Jackson said. “I was afraid I wasn’t going to make it, but so many people tried so hard to help us get there. … We were meant to be there. The city was so quiet, so hushed. There were people in the streets — nobody pushed, nobody shoved, no screaming, no yelling, it was very quite and peaceful, almost like being in church.”
Eventually they were directed to a line for people in wheelchairs. “I broke down in tears,” Joanne said. “When the pope came, they moved John right against the barricade; he was maybe 20 feet from the pope.”
County Legislator Denise Ford also had a chance to see Francis, thanks to Kaminsky. “I was like, ‘Wow,’” she recounted. “I was stunned and thanked him profusely. This was a big moment in my life. I was no more than 25 feet from the pope. … I had to catch myself. I was stunned. It was so moving.”
Mary Malloy contributed to this story.
